Achieving high cycling stability in alkaline zinc-iron flow batteries through synergy of 3D VPCF/nicotinamide and active ZnO species

Ning Li , Jie Shao , Li Gu , Xue-bo Cao , Jian-wei Zhao

Journal of Central South University ›› 2025, Vol. 32 ›› Issue (10) : 3729 -3747.

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Journal of Central South University ›› 2025, Vol. 32 ›› Issue (10) :3729 -3747. DOI: 10.1007/s11771-025-6096-y
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Achieving high cycling stability in alkaline zinc-iron flow batteries through synergy of 3D VPCF/nicotinamide and active ZnO species

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Abstract

This study addresses the enhanced cycling stability of zinc-based flow batteries through a synergistic strategy integrating a vine-derived porous carbon framework (3D VPCF) with nicotinamide (NAM) in alkaline Zn-Fe hybrid liquid-solid flow batteries. By introducing 0.15 mol/L NAM to suppress zinc dendrite growth and regulate deposition behavior, combined with 0.05 mol/L ZnO additives for optimized nucleation and electrolyte conductivity, we achieved enhanced reversibility of zinc deposition/dissolution and interfacial stability. The system exhibits stable charge/discharge plateaus at 5 mA/cm2 (non-normalized to electrode area), demonstrating 99.9 % capacity retention over 1000 cycles. This work provides an innovative pathway for developing stable zinc-based energy storage systems.

Keywords

two-phase interface channel / alkaline zinc-based battery / solid-state / vine-derived carbon material/framework

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Ning Li, Jie Shao, Li Gu, Xue-bo Cao, Jian-wei Zhao. Achieving high cycling stability in alkaline zinc-iron flow batteries through synergy of 3D VPCF/nicotinamide and active ZnO species. Journal of Central South University, 2025, 32(10): 3729-3747 DOI:10.1007/s11771-025-6096-y

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